Business Alert: Making The Transition From Manager to Leader – 5 Things To Know Now

What makes a great leader? Discover five important things every manager who aspires to be a corporate leader should ask themselves.

PRLog - March 26, 2012 - FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Falls Church, Va. — Almost any company-head or CEO will likely concur, that great leaders aren’t born, they’re made. However, not every manager can be an exceptional leader. Going from a manager to a leader involves inward reflection and certain intrinsic values (such as attitude and thoughts). Discover five key questions corporate managers should ask themselves to become a great leader.

According Business Management Daily Editor, Mike Winstanley, “True leaders look inward every day and take stock of themselves. As simple as it sounds, it’s the step most overlooked by managers in their journey to becoming leaders.”

Winstanely adds, “That’s why managers who aspire to be leaders (and, believe me, there is a difference) must constantly ask themselves thought-provoking questions and answer those questions honestly”.

Here are five crucial questions every manager who wants to be a leader should be asking themselves:

1. What does “it” look like? According to Winstanely, “Many people struggle with their leadership abilities because they’ve never stepped back and thought about what it means to truly be a leader. “Ask yourself the question: What are the characteristics embodied by leaders I admire?”

2. How’s my attitude? According to Winstanely, “How do you feel about your job and employer? If managers think their working conditions stink, they’re underpaid and their boss hates them, they’ll pass this attitude on to their employees. Attitudes are contagious, and attitudes affect behavior and job performance. As a leader, you have to be conscious of your attitude’s impact on your team and the people around you. Then work to eliminate the negative behaviors that result from it.”

3. How do I stack up? According to Winstanely, “Do an honest self-appraisal. Rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 as to how well you think you’re doing on each task on a daily basis. That will give you a ballpark idea where you’re at. Then ask yourself what a “10” looks like for each item. Put it into specific behavioral terms. This will give you a beginning picture as to what you have to do (or stop doing) to become a better leader.”

4. What’s my real value? According to Winstanely, “Managers must ask what value they bring to the organization. How do they affect the corporate bottom line? Remember, your company expects a return on its investment. Managers should assess their true value and put it in terms of how the company profits from the things they do on a day-to-day basis.”

5. Do I believe? According to Winstanely, “Do you truly believe you can become a great leader? If you have doubts, analyze why. Don’t blame your company or your boss for holding you back. Honestly ask yourself if it’s inside of you to be a leader OR are there any fears of being a success or failure.”

Winstanely adds, “Don’t try to change everything at once … it may be too overwhelming. Try working on one item at a time. Small steps make for an easier journey.”

Winstanely concludes, “Finally, remember that this self-analysis is what successful leaders do all the time. It’s part of their daily schedule. So if you truly aspire to be a corporate leader, it’s time to ask yourself the question: Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the greatest leader of all?”